System of gamified activities to improve endurance in university students of pedagogical programs

Abstract

Gamification was used to improve the physical fitness development of university students, as it offers a more flexible, entertaining, and dynamic alternative within the field of Physical Education. The objective of this study was to propose a system of gamified activities to address the conditional endurance capacity of first- and second-year students in the Bachelor´s Degree in Education, Informatics program. To carry out the research, methods for collecting and processing information were employed. The study was conducted at the “Félix Varela Morales” campus, Universidad Central “Marta Abreu” de Las Villas. The research involved a population of 127 students from the Faculty of Secondary Education, from which 25 students were selected through intentional non-probabilistic sampling. The development of various physical capacities was improved, with an emphasis on endurance, which is a necessary skill for the professional work of future graduates. The gamified activity system contributed to enhancing the efficiency of the teaching-learning process. It provided students with theoretical and practical knowledge for engaging in physical activities aimed at improving their physical condition and emotional well-being. The proposal was submitted to the criteria of experts who assessed it as very pertinent. It is concluded that the system of gamified activities functions as an emerging learning strategy by fostering positive aspects such as motivation, interest in sports activities, improved physical performance, and the promotion of moral values through behavioral development.